Author: Judy

The cannabis plant contains over 400 different active chemicals with 60 of these compounds being exclusively found in cannabis. These 60 compounds are collectively known as cannabinoids. There are two cannabinoids that get all the press — THC and CBD.

THC is the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana. The effects of THC range from euphoric and energetic to creative and lethargic. The types of effects vary from strain to strain of marijuana, but there is a general rule of thumb with the plant. Cannabis sativa plants often give you energy and focus while cannabis indica strains of marijuana may leave you “couch locked” with the munchies.

CBD Doesn’t Get You Stoned

THC is found exclusively in marijuana. CBD, on the other hand, is found in both marijuana and hemp. That means CBD, otherwise known as cannabidiol, can be extracted from a legal plant making CBD legal just about everywhere.

Unlike the more famous THC cannabinoid, CBD is non-psychoactive even if it is extracted from the THC-laden marijuana plant. CBD won’t get you high whatsoever. No euphoria, no munchies and definitely no couch lock. Growers can isolate the compound to extract the medicine away from THC molecules.

The pharmacology of CBD is rather complex. To tell the truth, we don’t know a whole lot about how it works. We know the basics and we can observe its overwhelmingly positive effects, but more funding is required for a complete understanding.

How It Works — The Basics

We do know that the human body has evolved to absorb cannabinoids. In fact, you have an endocannabinoid system hardwired right into your body. These receptors are perfectly suited for the absorption of the CBD molecules, and the endocannabinoid system is linked to every other vital system in the body. That means the medicine has a direct line to nearly every bodily function.

Some scientists believe that humans co-evolved with the plant. Early human ancestors must have used the plant for medicine for thousands of years in order to develop an endocannabinoid system that is sensitive to the 60 unique compounds found in the cannabis plant.

CBD For Wellness

You can use this non-psychoactive compound for wellness purposes every day. There is no risk of addiction and nobody has ever overdosed on any cannabis product to make it a much safer alternative to traditional anti-inflammatories and opioids. Plus, you won’t get high with a CBD-only product. Here are three wellness uses for CBD oil.

1. Relieve Stress

CBD has the well-documented benefit of raising anandamide levels. The naturally occurring neurotransmitter wipes out stress and anxiety. In fact, NYU psychiatry professor Esther Blessing thinks that CBD has unprecedented medical value for the wide range of therapeutic benefits. After all, reducing stress can help mitigate the symptoms of a wide variety of psychological maladies.

But, for the average person, CBD can be used to promote sleep or to feel zen in the eye of a stress storm. Nightly use of CBD oil can you have relaxing after a hard day to sleep like a baby. And the non-psychoactive CBD oil can always be used during the day when you’re hit with overwhelming stress. It can increase productivity, help you act kinder to others and relieve stress-induced tension from the body.

2. Weight Loss

THC has a certain reputation. After a few tokes, you’ll be grabbing for the potato chips and candy. The appetite-stimulating effect of marijuana is well documented, but CBD does the exact opposite. Most of the research into the weight loss benefits of CBD has been performed on animals. After all, the federal government still schedules marijuana in the same highly dangerous category as heroin and meth. Federal grants and even getting federal permission for human studies are nearly impossible. But animal studies and anecdotal evidence have pointed to an appetite suppressing effect for the non-psychoactive cannabinoid. CBD oil can help stop you from overeating.

3. Anti-inflammatory Effects

The research is clear on this one — CBD oil is a fantastic anti-inflammatory. And it doesn’t tear up your gut like ibuprofen. This means you can use CBD oil as a topical treatment for all sorts of aches and pains. Or you can take CBD oil capsules like a pill for an everyday painkiller.